The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1887-05-04
NO. 40.

Gated to the memory of Mr.. Calhoun.
1T seemed to many to be almost
mockery to eXpend this large sum on O
mere ornamental monument when thou
sands of the people he loved so well
were unable to give their children even
the rudimcnts Of education, and that no
monument could be more in keeping
with his character and the wishes he
would himself have had than school
Tor the training of the young.
But there was a serious difficulty in
the way. Very many of the original
subscribers to the fund, among them
some of the largest contributors, were
dead, many had removed from the State
and were inaccessible, and it would have
been assuming very grave responsible
| ~ Tor the comparatively small number
that could be brought together to divert
the fund even to SO laudable purpose.
Under these circumstances the Associa-
tlon appealed for advice to o committee
OF gentlemen, consisting of Messrs.
Henry Gourdin, Isaac W. Hayne, w.
ID. Porter, james Conner, Wilmot G..
DeSaussuro and w. j. Bennett, all of
whom had been warm friends of the
Association. 1t is sad to note, in pass
ing, that not one of them survives to
see the completion Of the work they
were SO much interested in. These gem
tlemen being unable to reach full
agreement, on their suggestion the ques-
ton was submitted to the Hons. b. +.
DuDkin and Henry ID. Lesesne two ex-
chancellors OF the State, who, after
careful consideration, delivered an opin-
ion, in which they held that the invest
ment of the funds in the manner pro-
posed would not be the kind Of monu-
ment intended by that word as used in
the Constitution Of the Association.
Accepting the dicision the Association
proceeded to carry out the original plan.
y general meeting was held on the 18th
OF March, 1916, when it was agreed that
the general design of the monument
should be bronze statue of Mr.. CAL
noun upon pedestal of native granite.
a committee of gentlemen, with Major
Henry T.. Young as Chairman, the As
Soclatlon having been deprived by death
of the Invaluable services of Gourdin,
opt ned wide correspondence with the
view OF obtaining an artist to execute
the statue and design the base of the
monument, and in 1879 they recon-
mendcd to the Association Mr.. Albert e.
HarnlScb, young artist native of
Philadelphia, but residing and carrying
on his profession III Rome. Mr.. Harm
lsch came to Charleston and submitted
several designs, one of which, with some
notifications suggested by the Associa-
ton, was accepted, and a contract was
made with MIR. Harnisch for bronze
statue of Calhoun on pedestal of Caro-
lima granite, and four allegorical figures,
representing Truth, Justice, tho Consti-
tuition and History, for the sum of ST.
900.
The funds Of the Association had been
so skilfulIy managed, and so well invested,
that they amounted by that time to up
wards OF 500, 900, thus allowing an ample
sum beyond the cost OF the bronze work
for the erection of the foundation and
pedestal. The base OF Carolina granite
Is thlrty-s'X feet square, the hcight of
the stone work thirty-three feet and Of
the fifteen, making the whole forty-eIght
feet in height.
The statue of bronze, cast at the San
Michele foundry in Rome, represents
Mir. Calhoun III the act of addressing the
Senate; he has just risen from his seat
and the cloak which he wore has fallen
upon the chair behind him.
The allegoricul figures which will sur
round the base represent Truth, Justice,
Constitution and History.
TIE SARCoPuAGUS.
In 1888 the Legislature appropriated
tue sum OF $50, 600 for the erection of
the sarcophagus which now cncloses the
remains. The marble slab which Gov
cred the tomb was taken into the vesti-
bule of ST. Philips Church and leaned
against the wall. In the great earth
quake OF last August it was thrown
down @ni broken i'll two just above the
inscription. The vestry of the church
have recently had it placed against the
north wall Of the churchyard, near the
spot where Mr.. Calhouu's remains were
inferred during the war, with an appro-
PIRATE inscription.